Turn Down "Cleveland Rocks" And Listen To Our New Anthem

We dig a little deeper into the tune written by Silas Hite.

Turn down “My Town” and “Cleveland Rocks.” Northeast Ohio has a new theme song thanks to Front International and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Written by Devo founder Mark Mothersbaugh’s nephew Silas Hite, “Theme Song for Cleveland and Akron” follows a Northeast Ohioan’s return with a chorus of “take me back to Ohio.” Directed by Jonn Herschend, the music video premieres July 15 at the Rock Hall and features local dance troupes such as Akron’s Dsquared2. We read between the lines with the writers of the new song.

Cleveland Magazine: Why clump Akron and Cleveland? Silas Hite: More than the geographical elements, Akron and Cleveland tend to share a mindset and attitude compared to the rest of Ohio.

CM: Why use an online survey to help write the lyrics? SH: We didn’t want it to be two California guys writing a song about this area. Even though I have roots here, we wanted the people of Cleveland to be involved and feel good singing it. It’s the same reason we used local musicians, like drummer Roseanna Safos and Seafair vocalist Chayla Hope. Authenticity is important here.

CM: How did the results inform the song? Jonn Herschend: The words that came out were, of course, “pierogi” and “Terminal Tower,” but also “long-suffering,” “hard working” and “endurance” as traits that define and solidify the region. It’s one thing to say someone’s “gritty,” but the survey described what that really means to people.

CM: Why was this necessary when we have these unofficial anthems? JH: I don’t know if it’s necessary, but in the context of Front International, these exercises celebrate Cleveland as an international city. We’re not expecting City Hall to say, “We’ll take it,” and the song to be played at every game. SH: It’s OK if they do, though!
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